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James Martin, S.J.August 31, 2009

Tired of controversy?  How about something, as Monty Python used to say, completely different?  Here goes: Webster Bull runs a company called Memoirs Unlimited, which helps authors write personal and private family memoirs.  In 1988, he and his wife started a company called Commonwealth Editions, which publish books about Boston, Cape Cod and Maine.  Why am I telling you this?  Because recently Bull started a marvelous blog called "Why I am Catholic?," which answers the question of why Mr. Bull was recently received into the church.  As he puts it, "A friend, a fellow convert, asked me out of the blue one day, "So, Webster, why Catholicism?" I was at a loss. I couldn't say. So I started this blog. Each post is a partial answer to his question. I invite you to provide your own answers."  That's a great question, he's a terrific writer and it's a lovely blog.  Dip into it and see.  Full disclosure, a friend alerted me to his blog because Bull wrote that he liked one of my books.  No matter, read the blog anyway!  Besides, aren't you glad we had an excuse to include this marvelous painting, which hangs a few blocks away from our offices, of Joan of Arc?

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15 years 8 months ago
While I enjoyed the blog, I'm not sure it is a place to go if one is ''tired of controversy''.  This reader found plenty of controversy.  One example is his discussion of women's ordination.  His dismissal of Protestant ordination of women as ''playing catch-up'' and ''caving in'' is pretty controversial, at least to this humble reader who looks forward to the day when his beloved Catholic Church ''caves'' and starts catching up on this issue.
15 years 8 months ago

Dear Jim, Thank you for recommending the Why I am a Catholic blog. I have been scrolling through it. I am recommending it to the 'new' Catholics - it will be a rich resource and source of support. In looking at the blog this morning, I am reminded of the radiant beauty of the book  Kristin Lavransdatter. What a way to start the day and to perhaps do an Ignatian repetition over parts of it (that is, of course after doing an Ignatian repetition over My Life with the Saints). Haven't seen the Joan of Arc painting in a few months. Thanks to you and Webster for that.   Prayers, Maureen 

15 years 8 months ago
So sorry, Fr. J., to see that you were on the 2-for-1 table!  But thanks for pointing us to the new blog!
15 years 8 months ago
Many thanks for a spirit-lifting link!
15 years 8 months ago
Ah.
Fresh air.
Nice.
Thank you, Father.
AMDG,
15 years 8 months ago
I agree with the above - this is a wonderful and uplifting link.  Thank you!!

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